Fleas & Ticks

(Siphonaptera | Ixodida)

What are fleas & ticks?

Fleas and ticks are common outdoor pests that those of us living in Texas encounter throughout the year. Both are ectoparasites that require blood meals to complete their life cycle.

Blood is the sole source of nutrition for fleas and ticks, and to survive, they feed on many of the same hosts, including mice, rats, squirrels, deer, raccoons, and skunks. They also like to feed on dogs, cats, livestock animals, and, if available, people!

Fleas are insects and have a short lifespan of only a couple of months and typically spend their entire adult life on one adult host, feeding and breeding.

Ticks are arachnids and have a longer lifespan, and as they develop through their four life stages, they require a blood meal from a different host.

Are fleas & ticks dangerous?

Not only are fleas and ticks annoying, but there are a variety of health concerns associated with these pests.

• Many people and animals are allergic to flea saliva and will develop allergic reactions and allergic dermatitis.
• Animals or pets with a heavy flea load can develop anemia which can cause them to become very ill and weak. If not treated, severe anemia is life-threatening.
• Scratching at flea or tick bite sites often leads to secondary infections, especially in young kids and pets.
• Fleas carry and spread parasitic tapeworms that can make people and animals ill.
• Ticks spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and many other diseases.
• While fleas aren’t responsible for spreading a lot of diseases in the U.S., they can spread murine typhus and the plague.

Why do I have a flea & tick problem?

Fleas and ticks can become a problem on any property in Texas. They are prolific breeders and can be introduced into yards and homes in various ways, which makes keeping these pests at bay difficult.

• Wild animals or stray pets traveling through or feeding in your yard will introduce fleas and ticks.
• Rodents often introduce fleas and ticks into our homes after they move inside to nest.
• After coming into contact with fleas or ticks in your yard or another outdoor space, you or your pets could introduce them inside your home.
• Fleas hitchhike their way into different homes by hiding in things like rugs and upholstered furniture.

Where will I find fleas & ticks?

Fleas and ticks are active whenever the temperature is above 45 degrees; unfortunately, in Texas, this means most of the year! Fleas and ticks are a constant threat, and being proactive to protect your property, family, and pets from these pests is important.

Outside, new adult fleas wait for a host to come by that they can jump onto in the damp soil found under leaf piles, woodpiles, and mulch. Adult fleas spend most of their lives on the backs of animal hosts.

Fleas that have been introduced into our homes establish large populations very quickly. Upholstered furniture, rugs, bedding, linens, and in-between floorboards are common places where fleas hide before they find a host.

Ticks live and breed mainly outdoors and don’t often establish large populations indoors. Outside, ticks crawl from the ground to the top of grass blades, weeds, and other vegetation to wait for a host to brush past them that they can crawl onto.

There are many places where people and pets can come into contact with fleas and ticks, including fields, parks, tall grass and weeds, wooded paths, yards, dog parks, and fence lines.

How do I get rid of fleas & ticks?

Professional action is the best action to take when it comes to fleas and ticks. These outdoor pests are difficult to control. Trust the pest control professionals at Chase Pest Control to help you rid your property of these intruders. Since 1997 our family owned and operated business has been dedicated to protecting people and their properties from unwanted pests.

To eliminate annoying and dangerous fleas and ticks, we offer fast action and modern and effective services. If you live in Montgomery County, Texas, and would like to learn more about getting rid of fleas and ticks from your property, reach out to Chase Pest Control today and learn about our flea and tick control services in Conroe, Tx!

How can I prevent fleas & ticks in the future?

When it comes to preventing problems with fleas and ticks, it is always best to partner with a professional. In addition to implementing professional pest control services from Chase Pest Control, the following tips will help prevent fleas and ticks from overtaking your yard or home.

• Keep lids on trash cans, remove bird feeders, and eliminate yard clutter that will attract rodents and other flea and tick-covered wild animals to your yard.
• Seal openings in your home’s exterior to keep rodents out of your house.
• Use a fence to keep your pets in your yard.
• Keep the grass in your yard cut short.
• Remove brush, leaf piles, woodpiles, and other harborage sites from your yard.
• Cut back wooded areas or areas of dense vegetation back away from your property line.
• Regularly vacuum your home, wash your bedding, and wash pet bedding.
• If you own pets, make sure to regularly groom and bathe them and placed them on a year-round flea and tick preventative.

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